NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Guildford

NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Guildford

Guildford Temporary 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
LGC Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead finance activities, provide insights, and enhance reporting for impactful decision-making.
  • Company: Join LGC Assure & NLS, a mission-driven organisation focused on global safety.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in food and consumer safety while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial reporting and stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

LGC Assure & NLS is part of the LGC Group, united by our purpose: Science for a Safer World. We provide assurance and scientific expertise across global food, healthcare, and regulated markets through:

  • BRCGS – supply chain assurance solutions (London)
  • INFORMED – testing and certification programmes (Cambridge)
  • National Laboratories & Science (NLS) – scientific services supporting UK Government, industry, and academia (Guildford & Twickenham)

The NLS Finance Manager will report to the Finance Director (Assure & NLS) and act as a key finance business partner to National Laboratories for the duration of the fixed term contract. This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, ideal for someone who enjoys taking ownership, improving processes, and delivering meaningful insight to support better decision-making. You’ll work closely with business and Group Finance teams to strengthen reporting, drive performance visibility, and support key planning cycles.

Responsibilities

  • Business partnering & insight – working closely with stakeholders to provide clear, actionable financial insight and support decision-making
  • Performance reporting – owning weekly and monthly reporting, improving accuracy, quality and depth of analysis
  • Planning cycles – supporting the strategic plan, annual budget, and quarterly forecasts end-to-end
  • Project & resource tracking – overseeing project accounting, utilisation metrics, and cost performance
  • Financial control – managing overhead cost centres, P&L reviews, and balance sheet processes
  • Commercial & funding support – contributing to pricing, tenders, and R&D claims
  • Driving improvement – enhancing reporting tools and dashboards (e.g. Tableau) to deliver better business insight

You’ll also support wider NLS and Group Finance initiatives where needed.

Qualifications

  • Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
  • Proven experience in financial reporting, FP&A or business partnering roles
  • Strong commercial awareness; able to translate financial data into clear business insight
  • Confident stakeholder management, able to work effectively across finance and operational teams
  • Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and capable of managing multiple priorities
  • Advanced Excel skills (e.g. modelling, reporting, data analysis)
  • A proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to quickly get up to speed and deliver in a fast-paced environment

Nice to have

  • Experience in project or cost accounting environments
  • Exposure to systems such as IFS, SAP Business Objects or Tableau

You’ll be someone who can quickly embed into a new environment, build credibility with stakeholders, and deliver value from day one.

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

  • Work in a mission-led organisation making a tangible impact on global food and consumer safety.
  • Be part of a collaborative, purposeful team that recognises and celebrates contribution.
  • Enjoy varied, high-visibility work with room to develop your skills and progress your career.
  • Hybrid working, competitive salary and benefits, and opportunities for professional development across the wider LGC Group.

Equal opportunities

At LGC, we foster a culture of inclusion and collaboration. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

For more information about us, please visit www.lgcassure.com

NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Guildford employer: LGC Group

LGC Assure & NLS is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a mission-driven organisation that prioritises global food and consumer safety. With a collaborative work culture, competitive salary, and hybrid working options, employees are encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers while making a meaningful impact. Join us in Guildford or Twickenham, where your contributions are recognised and celebrated in a supportive environment.

LGC Group

Contact Details:

LGC Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Guildford

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might have insights into NLS or LGC. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s mission and values. Knowing how your skills align with their purpose of 'Science for a Safer World' will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your financial acumen during interviews. Be ready to discuss how you've improved processes or provided actionable insights in past roles. This is your chance to shine as a hands-on finance partner!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission-driven team.

We think you need these skills to ace NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Guildford

Financial Reporting
FP&A
Business Partnering
Commercial Awareness
Stakeholder Management
Attention to Detail
Advanced Excel Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the NLS Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in financial reporting and business partnering, and don’t forget to showcase your advanced Excel skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on role. Share specific examples of how you've improved processes or provided actionable insights in previous positions. We love a good story!

Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to work effectively with different teams. We’re looking for someone who can build credibility quickly, so mention any relevant experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with stakeholders.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get started on this journey together!

How to prepare for a job interview at LGC Group

Know Your Numbers

As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. This will show that you can provide actionable insights, which is crucial for the position.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills

This role involves working closely with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in the past. Think about times when you translated complex financial data into clear insights for non-financial colleagues—this will highlight your ability to communicate effectively.

Be Process-Oriented

The job description mentions improving processes and driving performance visibility. Come prepared with ideas on how you would enhance reporting tools or dashboards. Discuss any experience you have with systems like Tableau, as this could set you apart from other candidates.

Demonstrate Your Proactivity

The ideal candidate is someone who can hit the ground running. Share instances where you've taken initiative in previous roles, whether it was streamlining a process or leading a project. This will show that you're a self-starter who can deliver value from day one.